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How to Travel Solo to Patagonia: Top 10 Tips

I met Noemie on the Navimag ferry. Here we are at the beginning of our hike.

I spent a lot of time figuring out how to travel to Patagonia.

There were plenty of inspiring photos of Patagonia and Torres del Paine National Park but I found little on how to get there. I had so many questions.

That solo trip was quite some time ago. Since this post is still used by hundreds of people every month as they plan their travels to spectacular Patagonia I thought it wise to verify the information and give it an update.

So here you go…

The Navimag ferry runs from Porto Montt to Puerto Natales.

10 Tips for Traveling Solo to Patagonia

Take the Navimag. I can’t recommend the Navimag Ferry enough. It’s an absolutely spectacular journey that goes through Chile’s southern fjords traveling between Porto Montt and Puerto Natales and it is perfect for solo travelers. A few details.

It takes four days and three nights.

It is not a cruise ship. It is a car and truck ferry that takes foot passengers as well and offers a variety of sleeping accommodation. Think of it like a floating hostel. I chose a four-bed cabin with a bathroom down the hall. There was an upper and lower bunk on either side of the cabin. I shared it with a couple from the UK and a gentleman from France.

The food is basic and adequate. ‘nough said.

There were many solo travelers on board which made the trip great fun! It seemed that most found a partner to hike Torres del Paine with by the end of the trip. I ended up hiking and camping with Noemie, a woman from France.

Book at least one night in Puerto Natales. The Navimag ferry arrives in Puerto Natales later in the day so you’ll need to book at least one night there. There is a variety of accommodation from hotels to B&Bs to hostels. I stayed at Erratic Rock and it was just fine though I’m sure that there are others that are equally fine in the town. The benefit of Erratic Rock is that they rent equipment and have the Torres del Paine hiking seminar. See below.

Plan your hike. Decide how you want to experience the park. There is a free seminar every day at 3pm at the Erratic Rock Base Camp that will help you decide how to approach the hiking options in Torres del Paine and answer all your questions about the park. It’s well worthwhile. They also have a variety of guided programs and expeditions you can sign up for but you don’t need a quite for the park. If you hike on your own you have five basic options:

The Full Circuit

The full W

Parts of the W

A bus tour (no hiking)

The ferry to the Grey Glacier (no hiking).

Check the weather. The big prize of any hike in Torres del Paine is the North Towers or the Cordillera Paine
and they are often in the clouds. Check the weather and plan your hike so that you are more likely to ascend this trail on a clear day.

Getting to the park. There are two busses a day running between Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine. They leave at 7:30am and 2pm and they take about 2 hours. If you’re planning to drive make sure you have plenty of fuel as the only gas stations are in Puerto Natales.

Noemie on the trail to the Grey Glacier on the other side of the W.

Take cash into the park. Almost everything in the park is cash only so, unless you plan to hike every step of the way, carry your food and camp, you’ll need money. Here are some approximate costs.

21,000 / US32 – park entry during high season.

30,000 / US$50- shuttles, buses and ferries within the park. Given how much time we had we walked the two sides of the W and had to bus/ferry between the sides.

6,500 / US$10 per person/night

3,000 / US$10- Pisco Sours – of course!

10,000 / US$15 – a meal at the Grand Paine Refugio.

Rent or bring hiking poles. I know it sounds lame but they do make a huge difference and everyone should use poles. They won’t only make the trek easier, but they will save your knees for later in life if you’re an avid hiker. I couldn’t believe how great they were.

The Grey Glacier.

Plan your accommodation. I rented camping equipment from Erratic Rock which is the cheapest form of accommodation you can get in the park. Once you have your equipment, there is no need for reservations. If you don’t want to camp, you can stay in a Refugio, though I would make reservations in advance to ensure that you have a bed. If you really want luxury there is the Las Torres Hotel.

What/where to eat. At the Refugios, you have the option of full board meaning that, in addition to giving you your breakfast and dinner, they’ll pack you a lunch for your day hiking. Even if you camp you can go to a Refugio and buy a meal. At the Grand Paine campground there was a kitchen building with stoves and sink. At the campground near the Torres (and I’m assuming for most of the circuit) there were no restaurants or cooking facilities.

Our spectacular accommodation.

The Towers is the grand prize of hiking Torres del Paine. The trail is a little rocky towards the top.

What to pack. When you’re hiking, you need to keep what you’re carrying to a minimum. Scale down your luggage and, if necessary, leave a bag at a hostel before you go to the park. For four days I wore/carried:

2 t-shirts

2 long sleeve shirts

2 pairs of pants

rain gear

two pairs of high quality hiking socks, underwear

toiletries…

camera, sunglasses, passport…

nuts, dried fruit, etc.

hiking poles

tent, etc. if needed

If you don’t have the time to take the Navimag Ferry, you can fly to Puerto Natales or Punta Arena. Before leaving on this trip I knew that I would have to fly back to Santiago due to lack of time. When I priced it via LAN it looked like it would cost about $500. When in Chile, I learned about SKY Airlines and booked for $178 all in.

Absolutely spectacular hiking.

Last updated: 11th December, 2017

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I’m glad you re-posted this, Janice. I used to live in Argentina, but never got any farther south than Comodoro Rivadavia. This information in your blog, along with encouragement from neighbors who have been there, has motivated me to start planning for a Patagonia trip next year.

Robert, are you stil in Chile? I am also an avid backpacker and beginner/moderate climber (5.10 comfortable max), have all my gear and am wondering the same thing as far as climbing partners go.

vanessa

Hello Suz, you can perfectly do it on your own. When you enter the National Park, rangers show you a video and give you maps. Maps are very clear and hiking trails are very well marked. There are two companies that run the refugios inside the W or O circuit, Vertice Patagonia and Fantastico Sur. There are a couple of camping sites which are free as well. If you book in advance through their website, beware that sometimes you might get “fully booked” as an asnwer but contact them because that was what happened to me and when I slept in the refugios, it turned out that most of the times there were plenty of beds available, either in the domes or the shelters. I didn’t camp, so I can’t give you much info about that.

You don’t need to go with a guide or tour company. Take a bus from Puerto Natales and buy a pass to enter the park. You can hike by yourself and camp or stay at the refugios though space is limited in them so book in advance.

Have fun.

Suz

Basically I want to know if I can go without spending a grand on a tour company.

Suz

Hello, thanks for the tips! I don’t know much about the park but would really like to go. Is it possible to go without a guide? Were you able to just show up and start hiking? (aside from reserving space at the refugias) or do you need to get a permit?

Hi Robert. Thanks for getting in touch but I’m afraid that you are far more adventurous than I. I stayed on the main trails. I would get in touch with the guys at Erratic Rock. As I remember they’re from the American north west so language is certainly not a problem. That’s where I would start my research.
Have a fabulous time!
Janice

Robert DeGray

I’m going next year beginning in Jan, 2015.
I am an experienced back-packer/rock climber, and yet, I have never been out side of the United States to do either.
What do suggest in light weight food stuffs? Should I Bring Freeze food, or would it be cheaper to buy once I get there?
I want to do the Paine/fitzroy and Cerro Torre base camp trips, but the hike up to the glacier beneath Cerro Torre will require a roped (hang and dangle) traverse to cross a river, and a roped, low angle glacier climb that employs belaying techniques. What I’m asking here is about how to find a partner. You mentioned the ferry? HELP!

Alden Tim

A really well written article and a very useful guide from someone who has done it themselves.

Very pretty pictures – and an incredibly useful post about a part of the world I’m curious about, which I’ll probably do on my own, since my children aren’t that interested. Thanks for this. Also, a bit curious about the food at the refugio at Grand Paine… was it really horrible?

backpack45scb

Nice and concise. Also, there are meals available at some of the backcountry locations. Seron, Dickson, Refugio Grey, Chileno all have meals, though if you want one, reserve as soon as they get there, as they are small and they need time to get stuff in the pot.

Cristina

Hi Janice – Not sure if you’re still answering questions on this…but it sounds like travelling alone and hiking was easy. So safety was not a concern…I’m guessing you met lots of people on the trail and wasn’t concerne about twisting an ankle or something? We’re debating whether to join a group or to go alone – but we’d also like to meet people along the way. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

Erratic Rock rents just about everything. I would give them a call. They are great guys and will help you out.

Have a good time,
janice

charlie

Hi. I am in Santiago right now trying to plan a hiking trip in Patagonia for next week. I was not planning on it when I got to Chile but I want to make it happen. I am a professional tennis player and I came to Santiago to play tournaments. But I love hiking and have the time to throw a trip together if I can. The only thing is I don’t have ANY hiking or camping gear. Are there rental places down there where I could get everything that I would need to the W? It sounds like you can stay in refugios or cabins or something but I’m afraid they may be all booked up at this late notice. I have no problem tenting, but again I don’t have a tent or stove or even the right backpack so I would need to rent or buy everything. Are there places that rent boots, backpacks, stoves, sleeping bags and basically the works. Even clothes? I am fine buying some things but I don’t think I would want to buy all that stuff seeing as I have most of it back home already.

If I choose not to do the W or overnight camping are there day hikes you can do in Patagonia that make it worth the trip? I imagine not everyone is capable of trekking but they still want to come visit such a wonderful place. I would not be opposed to doing some long day hiking if there are good options to be had. Also is it necessary to book a tour? it sounds like there are tours that provide everything for you. I’m not usually into that kind of thing but wouldn’t be opposed if it was the best way to make this work. And can you start any day of the week or are there guidelines you have to follow. Basically any information you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Sorry for all the questions. great site though. very informative

Best

Charlie

silvina

Thank you Janice. I discovered that it takes 12 hours from Ushuaia to Punta Arenas, and we are not going to spend two days on a bus… So we might stay in Ush the whole week or cross the Channel to isla Navarino. Haven’t decided yet. Thanks again for your advice!

BK

I came to puerto Aysen last year to retire.
Came Solo.
Ever been here?

I went to Punta Arenas because so that i could fly back to Santiago. I went to see the Penguins and hung out in the town for a day but it’s not a destination I’d send someone out of their way to.

Tierra del Fuego – now I wish I had made it there!

silvina

Thanks for the tips! I’ll certainly sign up for the newsletter. I usually travel solo but this time I’m going to Tierra del Fuego (Argentina’s territory) with 2 friends. We want to cross to Punta Arenas, in Chile. We can only stay two days. Is it worth it going to Punta Arenas for only 2 days? It’s a pity that now there’s a big fire in Torres del Paine…

Those ten tips were excellent as I am
planning a trip to Chile before I sail
for the Antarctic. Didn’t want to go
to the Patagonia due to the fierce winds
in January but it seems as they take a
back seat to all the other wonderful
scenery. Couldn’t make up my mind to do
the north or south of Chile. This helped.

Hiking in Patagonia has been on my dream list for a while now, hopefully next year I can finally go and hike there. Good to know it affordable as well to travel there 🙂

Stephanie

great info – thanks to both of you!

Jeff

@Stephanie, there are daily bus services from El Calafate to Puerto Natales. The only issue for December is that it’s high season so the buses fill up quite. So, first order of business when you get to El Calafate is to buy your bus ticket. The companies are more local so it’s difficult to buy online ahead of time.

Also, take some extra pesos with you to El Calafate. The ATMs are notorious for running out of cash, especially on the weekends.

For hiking, it’s easy to meet people, at a minimum, along the way, if you don’t meet people beforehand.

Enjoy!

solotraveler

I met my hiking partner on the Navimag Ferry. Given that you aren’t taking that route, I would suggest that you attend the information session at Erratic Rock hostel – you’ll learn lots there and likely meet people. You can also stay at the hostel and meet people as well. If you don’t meet anyone, you don’t really have to be worried about safety. The trails are well marked and well traveled.

Stephanie

I’m heading to Patagonia (& Antarctica!) solo for several weeks this December. Have you & your readers found it easy to meet companions for the W circuit hike? I don’t mind hiking alone but think it would be more fun and safe to have others along also.

I’ll be going to Puerto Natales from El Calafate (haven’t figured how to do that segment of the trip yet so suggestions are welcome).

Thanks for the post on Santiago – I’m looking forward to spending a few days there also!

solotraveler

Very good point! Thanks Jeff.

Jeff

Don’t forget the sunscreen and lip balm! My lips and face got very sun and windburned on my hike.

I am sitting in Barnes & Noble planning my trip ( an year or so) to Argentina( went there in April to study Spanish), Chile, Uruguay ( By the way Anibal is right Uruguay is very beautiful)
I have so many questions about the first leg of my trip- from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia I will be traveling by bus Does anyone know if I can get a 30/60/90 pass and get on and off the bus. I don’t want to go straight through but want to stop wherever I want explore and then continue I would love to discuss this trip with anyone. My email is michael.ciota@gmail.com

solotraveler

Thanks for the tip. Always good to have more info!

Matthew Cheyne

I have a manilla folder full of stuff for the great South American trip I plan to do one day when I learn Spanish and save up or acquire a whole lot of money.

I’m going to print out and keep this in my folder. I’m also going to add Patagonia to my list of destinations on top of Chile, Buenos Aires and Uruguay.

Speaking of Uruguay, Janice if you’re into staying in a serviced apartment as opposed to a hostel or a hotel in Montevideo, I have heard incredibly good reviews about Punta Trouville Apartments and Suites. Do a Google search on them sometime. Prices are around $70 USD a night for a really good sized room with the obligatory air conditioning, views of the ocean, private kitchenette, free wifi and access to the gym which includes jacuzzi and a solarium. Its already a must on my list. Its situation in a safe neighbourhood called Pocitos, relatively close to central Montevideo.

Aníbal

Hi Bob, my advice to Janice could work for you too!

I recommend visiting Uruguay, and not because it’s my country, but because it’s truly beautiful 🙂

Cheers

Bob Harter

This is a great post. Thanks!
We are planning a 40th wedding anniversary with four nights at the Explora Lodge. Haven’t an idea yet of what to do with the remaining 24 days of our trip to South America. Comments welcome.
Thanks
Bob

Hi Anibal. Thanks so much for commenting and thanks for the video. I hope to return to South America next year as there is so much more to do. Hopefully I make it to Uruguay.

Aníbal

Hello Janice! Very nice to meet you (even though this is rather like a monologue haha).

I’m from Uruguay and I’m currently reading LOTS of solo traveler’s blogs because I myself want to take the plunge into solo travelling. I’m so inspired by your experiences and articles I just want to jump to it right away.

That being said, I am doing my homework, and that’s why I’m reading tons of information and travel tips from you, experienced travelers all around the globe.

Since you’ve visited Patagonia, I would very much like to recommend you coming to my country, right next to Argentina 😀 I’m going to show you a video about it, but rest assure, it doesn’t do justice to what Uruguay has to offer!

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